Docking station

Abstract

A docking station suitable for being detachably installed to a portable computer is provided. The docking station includes a body, an electrical connector, a lever, a fixing sleeve, a sliding sleeve, and a latch. The electrical connector is fixed on the body and electrically connected to the portable computer. The lever has a connecting portion, a first ejection portion, and a second ejection portion. The connecting portion is pivotally connected to the body. The first ejection portion is disposed between the connecting portion and the second ejection portion. The fixing sleeve is fixed in the body and has a receiving aperture. The sliding sleeve passes through the receiving aperture and has an assembling aperture. The second ejection portion contacts the sliding sleeve. The latch is disposed in the assembling aperture and pivotally connected to the fixing sleeve. The first ejection portion contacts the bottom of the latch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 96112995, filed Apr. 13, 2007. All disclosure of the Taiwan application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a docking station. More particularly, the present invention relates to a latch-ejection mechanism of a docking station.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]The main difference between a portable computer and a conventional desktop computer is that the portable computer is featured in “light, thin, short, and small”, for the convenience of taking along and being used in various environments. However, in another aspect, the portable computer is limited to the design requirements of “light, thin, short, and small”, so the functions and expandability thereof cannot be compared with the desktop computer having a large application range.[0006]In view of the above,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention provides a docking station, in which a latch and an ejection mechanism are combined into a module which can be assembled or replaced rapidly.

[0012]In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing sleeve further has at least one limiting hole and the sliding sleeve further has at least one stopper corresponding to the limiting hole, so as to prevent the sliding sleeve from departing from the fixing sleeve.

[0014]In the present invention, the latch and the ejection mechanism are combined into a module. Therefore, when the docking station is assembled, the module part may be installed into the docking station rapidly, thereby saving assembly time and manufacturing cost. Besides, when the latch-ejection mechanism is damaged, the module part may also be replaced rapidly, thereby saving the time spent in maintenance.

Problems solved by technology

However, in another aspect, the portable computer is limited to the design requirements of “light, thin, short, and small”, so the functions and expandability thereof cannot be compared with the desktop computer having a large application range.

However, the latch of the conventional docking stations and the ejection element are individual parts, and must be assembled into the docking station during the manufacturing, which is troublesome and costs more assembly time.

Comparatively, when the latch or the ejection element is damaged or needs to be replaced, the parts must be detached individually and then replaced by normal parts.

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